Ludwig Hermann's feat of January 10, 1920
The heroic deed of Lieutenant Ludvigs Hermanis, commander of the Latvian Army's Latgale Partisan Regiment's Cavalry Squadron, in capturing Kārsava Station on January 10, 1920, for which he received the Lāčplēsis War Order.
"Explanation of Sergeant A. Lapsa of the 5th Squadron of the Cavalry Regiment of the Latvian Army: On January 10, 1920, I served in the Squadron of the Latgale Partisan Regiment as a cavalryman. The 1st Platoon of the Squadron was commanded by Lieutenant Hermanis, who received an order to attack Kārsava, where, according to information gathered, there were quite strong enemy forces. As we approached the town, the Bolsheviks opened heavy machine-gun and rifle fire on us, but despite all the heavy fire, Lieutenant Hermanis, not fearing death and taking the cavalry with him, launched a rapid attack on the town of Kārsava, causing panic in the enemy ranks, which gave our forces the opportunity to enter Kārsava and thereby interrupt enemy traffic between Rēzekne and Pitavolē. Lieutenant Hermanis fell while carrying out this difficult task."
Biography of Ludwig Hermann
Ludwig Hermanis was born on October 10, 1896 in Hamburg (Germany), and graduated from the Hamburg eight-year elementary school.
On August 8, 1914, he volunteered to join the 18th Dragoon Regiment of the German Army. During World War I, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Mecklenburg War Merit Cross 2nd Class, and the Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.
On January 22, 1919, he joined the cavalry squadron of the German Iron Division under the command of Otto Goldfeld, with which he transferred to the service of the Provisional Government in March 1919. On April 4, 1919, he was promoted to lieutenant. In January 1920, he was appointed commander of a cavalry division as part of the Latgale Partisan Regiment.
Killed on January 10, 1920. Buried in the Balvi Lemešova cemetery.
Latvian State Historical Archives, fund 1304, description 1, case 542.
